Aerobic Exercise as a Therapy Option for Migraine: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Exercise is assumed to have a positive effect on migraine. However, none of the few studies on this topic can prove the expected positive influence of exercise. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to develop a training program suitable for migraine patients and to examine its effect on migraine. 16 patients were examined. 8 migraine patients completed a 10-week aerobic running exercise program consisting of 3 workouts per week. The program was developed by sports scientists especially to increase the fitness level. Physical fitness, i. e., physical working capacity, was assessed using a PWC 150 test. There was also a control group of 8 patients without any special physical training. Migraine patients of the exercise group showed both a reduction in the number of migraine days per month (p=0.048) and the intensity of the attacks (p=0.028). An increase in fitness level resulted in a lowered stress level. Stress strategies like "displacement activity" (r=-0.715; p=0.046), "looking for self-affirmation" (r=-0.742; p=0.035) and "feelings of aggression" (r=-0.802; p=0.017) were reduced. Increasing the level of fitness (PWC 150) is one predictor for migraine improvement (r=0.409, p=0.031). Aerobic exercise which leads to a better fitness level is an alternative therapy method for migraine.

Amitriptyline and aerobic exercise or amitriptyline alone in the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized comparative study

“…19 , so the parameters of intensity, frequency and duration of exercise were based on the parameters used for the healthy population 27 . The regular practice of aerobic exercise seems to benefit patients with migraine 17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 . These benefits could be related to increased production of beta-endorphins 18 or changes in levels of nitric oxide during aerobic exercise 17 .…”

“…In addition to the prophylactic drug therapies, multiple studies have shown benefits of non-pharmacological interventions such as aerobic exercise 17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 . Exercise of moderate intensity and practiced regularly can promotes muscle relaxation, improved cardiovascular fitness and also reduces the frequency, intensity and duration of headache attacks 19 .…”

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by a sample of Turkish primary headache patients

“…The aerobic exercise is found effective in reduction of the self-rated migraine pain intensity in few reports. [25,26] Interestingly, the rosemary (rosemarinus officinalis) has also been used frequently in migraine patients in Turkey different from the other countries. Although the rosemary therapy is known in 23.6% of patients, tried in 10%, and benefited in 7.3% of headache patients in Turkey, we can not find any literature knowledge about rosemary effect on headache.…”

The impact of regular lifestyle behavior in migraine: a prevalence case–referent study

“…Maintenance of biological rhythms is important in maintaining health, i.e., ultradian (e.g., feeding cycles) [2], circadian (e.g., cycles of sleep, digestive secretions, bowel movements) [3], infradian (e.g., menstrual cycles) [3], and diurnal rhythms (circadian rhythms synchronized with day-night cycle) [4]. Lifestyle behaviors of sleep [5], exercise [6][7][8], mealtime pattern [9] and hydration status [10] are known to independently affect migraine occurrence. Individual-customized daily aerobic exercise, daily scheduled stress management and relaxation techniques, and mindfulnessbased stress reduction prevent migraine [5], while inadequate sleep hygiene, non-restorative sleep, skipping meals, and dehydration can trigger migraine [11][12][13][14].…”